Mr.pacheco
Active Member
Ok sounds good
Bedding for redfooted tortoises
- Thread starter Mr.pacheco
- Start date
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
I think my tortoise peeded on my carpet and it stinks how to get out
Reptibark/orchid bark doesn't "get dusty" in a RedFoot's enclosure because of the humidity they require.
I have had zero problems with a two-three inches of damp coco coir covered with three or more inches of orchid bark.
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This suggestion might help you-
I buy the coco coir in the 3-brick packages which are a little cheaper than singles and store easily. The ten brick is good, too, I just don't have the space to store that many. I do NOT buy the loose stuff because it is harder to get it to hold the water and it dries out again quicker, plus there is a "dusty" factor when you try to get it damp (that can cause you to cough like a fool for a bit - think what dusty coco coir does to the poor tortoises who are trying to live on it! Coco coir only isn't a good choice in my opinion.).
Then I use a very clean, definitely does not have any soap or other type of residue, five gallon bucket (I have two five gallon buckets dedicated to only tortoise substrate, nothing else. Do not use a bucket that's been used to wash a car or the floor, etc.).
Fill it about half-to-2/3 full of warm water and submerge one of the bricks. Allow it to soak until it has completely fallen apart, with no hard lumps left. You may have to add more water if it expands above the waterline. You will need more than one brick soaked before your enclosure is ready, so you can soak a couple buckets at the same time, of one brick each.
Hand-wring-out as much of the water as possible and pack it tightly into the bottom of the enclosure. Begin at one end and work your way to the other end, so that you can see if you have gotten enough of the water out. You don't want standing water visible, especially not when you are finished.
Pack the coco coir about three inches deep.
Next put a two to three inch layer of Orchid Bark/Fir Bark/Reptibark on top. Some use Cyprus Mulch instead, which is just as good, but I don't care for the swampy smell of the Cyprus Mulch or the pointy pieces or the fibers.
Close your enclosure up tight and let it balance itself for several hours or overnight, then measure the humidity and heat. If it is too humid when you check, vent it until it is in the range that's best for you tortoise when you have the lid closed. If its too hot adjust that.
Get everything "perfect" before you put your tortoise into it.
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I don't know that the disinfectant is necessary. It seems like an unnecessary expense when you don't have a problem that the disinfectant would be needed to correct.
.
I have had zero problems with a two-three inches of damp coco coir covered with three or more inches of orchid bark.
_________________________________________________________________________________
This suggestion might help you-
I buy the coco coir in the 3-brick packages which are a little cheaper than singles and store easily. The ten brick is good, too, I just don't have the space to store that many. I do NOT buy the loose stuff because it is harder to get it to hold the water and it dries out again quicker, plus there is a "dusty" factor when you try to get it damp (that can cause you to cough like a fool for a bit - think what dusty coco coir does to the poor tortoises who are trying to live on it! Coco coir only isn't a good choice in my opinion.).
Then I use a very clean, definitely does not have any soap or other type of residue, five gallon bucket (I have two five gallon buckets dedicated to only tortoise substrate, nothing else. Do not use a bucket that's been used to wash a car or the floor, etc.).
Fill it about half-to-2/3 full of warm water and submerge one of the bricks. Allow it to soak until it has completely fallen apart, with no hard lumps left. You may have to add more water if it expands above the waterline. You will need more than one brick soaked before your enclosure is ready, so you can soak a couple buckets at the same time, of one brick each.
Hand-wring-out as much of the water as possible and pack it tightly into the bottom of the enclosure. Begin at one end and work your way to the other end, so that you can see if you have gotten enough of the water out. You don't want standing water visible, especially not when you are finished.
Pack the coco coir about three inches deep.
Next put a two to three inch layer of Orchid Bark/Fir Bark/Reptibark on top. Some use Cyprus Mulch instead, which is just as good, but I don't care for the swampy smell of the Cyprus Mulch or the pointy pieces or the fibers.
Close your enclosure up tight and let it balance itself for several hours or overnight, then measure the humidity and heat. If it is too humid when you check, vent it until it is in the range that's best for you tortoise when you have the lid closed. If its too hot adjust that.
Get everything "perfect" before you put your tortoise into it.
____________________________________________________________________________________
I don't know that the disinfectant is necessary. It seems like an unnecessary expense when you don't have a problem that the disinfectant would be needed to correct.
.
That would explain the bad smell.
First - clean up/remove any fecal matter or "pieces" of anything, including hair.
2. My first choice would be to use an enzyme cleaner. It comes in a plastic jug at most stores like Walmart, PetsMart, or even some grocery stores, in the cleaning supplies or pets section. The enzymes "eat" the organic compounds. Soak it well, it needs to sink down through to dissolve the residues below. Once its had the time instructed on the label to do its job, then vacuum but only if its dry. Or go to step #3 below instead.
3. The enzyme cleaner may be a little expensive, so you could also try cleaning with a rag and some soapy water. Don't get the spot(s) so wet with the soapy water that it takes half the day and twenty rag-towels to soak up the excess. (Do not use any cloth that matters or a "good" towel because it will get stained/ruined.) Scrub it really well, two or four times as needed. Make sure the tortoise pee smell is all cleaned up or the smell will continue. Don't leave soapy residue on the carpet. Its bad for the fibers and will feel sticky and draw dirt as you walk on it. Rinse with clear water and blot up as much of the wetness as possible. If you have an electric fan, let it blow on the area until the rug is dry. It will smell icky until the rug is dry again. Not as bad as before, its just the smells that come from a rug that's been on the floor for a long time. You should have been able to get all the tort pee smell gone though.
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
Ok thanks for the help
I have used fine grade orchid bark for years, I have kept several species of tortoise on it...in one room I have three, 6' tort tables all holding orchid bark I put in 20 years ago...if you do like Tom has told you, spot clean daily, stir it around some, add water and add fresh orchid bark from time to time...you should be soaking your Redfoot once every day for 20 to 30 minutes...he will do his 'business' in the water mostly...leaving the substrate clean...you can find it at most of the big box stores in the nursery dept...
this is Layla's greenhouse...85 degrees w/90% humidity...same orchid bark...20 years old, no muss no fuss
and just because she's so pretty...Miss Layla
only I can't hold her with one hand anymore
this is Layla's greenhouse...85 degrees w/90% humidity...same orchid bark...20 years old, no muss no fuss
and just because she's so pretty...Miss Layla
only I can't hold her with one hand anymoreReptibark rinses out red and stained Sulcata legs red...I won't use it...
His urine shouldn't smell at all...are you soaking daily?
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
Sorry no it was not him we figured that out when I looked how big the spot was it looks like my dog had peed in that spot I guess for a while because I was told old urine can smell bad but thanks for the help sorry for the inconvenience
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
And ever other day but he has full aces to water he can climb in anytime he wants
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
Honestly that’s the only explanation I don’t know what else it would be but I am getting it cleaned up/ I am scrubbing the spot down and spraying down my carpet it’s not carpet that’s nailed down it’s almost like a rug
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
Finished putting in the bark on top of the coconut coir
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
Thanks and I was looking on Amazon just for so new food bowl for his fruit to put in and I came across this pictures this is cruel
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Gosh that poor tortoise looks to have MBD, very sad
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
So I was looking at another review on Amazon for somthing and it says they use water bottles to soak there tortoise because there’s chemicals in the water is that true because I have been using just normal sink water should I install a filter or somthing like that
It depends on the water quality of your area. The most common problem using normal sink water seems to be hard water stains on tortoise shells, which is really just a cosmetic problem.
Mr.pacheco
Active Member
Also wondering how is he looking like looking healthy or not healthy or anything like that also the white stuff is calcium powder from his food
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